Hallidie Building

The Hallidie Building is a seven-story structure located at 130 Sutter Street featuring an uninterrupted facade of glass panels supported by inverted beams connected to concrete slabs. The grid pattern of the glass creates a transparent appearance that differs markedly from the solid masonry buildings surrounding it.

Willis Polk designed this building in 1918 and named it after Andrew Smith Hallidie, the pioneer of the cable car system. It was among the first structures to use glass panels at this scale as both a structural and exterior enclosure element.

The ground floor hosts the Center for Architecture + Design, featuring exhibition spaces and a lecture hall where visitors can learn about architectural innovation and design. This space draws people interested in how buildings shape urban life and creative thinking.

Visitors should note the building's location in the Financial District and look for the exhibition entrance on the ground floor. The structure is easily accessible from the street, allowing pedestrians to view the glass facade from multiple angles throughout the day.

The structure features golden ornamental iron details that create a striking contrast against its transparent glass facade. These metallic accents were unusual for architecture of that era, as most buildings were either solid masonry or pure steel-frame structures without such decorative elements.

Location: San Francisco

Architects: Willis Polk

GPS coordinates: 37.79002,-122.40352

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49